London, 15 January 2026: Paul Richards, Chief Executive of the Association of Real Estate Funds, says:
“As CEO of the Association of Real Estate Funds, I am proud to announce the launch of the 2026 Charter and the AREF Quality Mark. These initiatives underpin our unwavering commitment to excellence in governance, transparency, and accountability for unlisted UK property funds.
“The Charter sets out clear principles and standards, ensuring our members uphold the highest levels of integrity and operational best practice. The Quality Mark, awarded annually through a self-certification process, is a visible symbol of this commitment. It provides investors with confidence that their chosen funds meet industry-leading standards for governance and transparency.
“By publishing the Charter Compliance Register, we make it easy for investors to identify funds that have demonstrated their dedication to sound governance. At AREF, we believe that robust governance is the foundation of investor trust and long-term success.
“I would expect governance to remain high on the agenda for investors, especially in light of recent newsflows. As such, I encourage all investors to visit the Association of Real Estate Funds website and check whether their chosen fund is a member and has earned the AREF Quality Mark. Make sure its investments are aligned with industry best practices - look for the Quality Mark as the assurance of sound governance.”
The AREF Charter is available to view here